Six years doing this and still fun. Among the subjects discussed are my 50 Favorite Films (Feb 2012 to June 2014), films and personalities of the 1960s (July 2014 to July 2015), 1940s (Aug 2015 to Dec 2016), and the 1970s (Jan-Aug 2017). Now it's the 1930s. Always reviews of current films. It is easy to navigate through the site. Have fun. Dash off a note if something strikes your fancy. New postings every Tuesday and Friday.

Saturday, November 24

REVIEW: Silver Linings Playbook

Directed by David O. Russell2012 Comedy Drama2 hours 2 minutesFrom the Weinstein CompanyStarringBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert DeNiroJacki WeaverChris TuckerAnupam KherJohn OrtizJulia StilesJust as I do with some actors, I follow the work of some directors, too. One of my favorites is David O. Russell. He first came to my attention in 1996 when I saw the quirky Flirting with Disaster, which I was strangely drawn to. I was delighted when three years later I saw Three Kings. War movies are not my favorites but I fancied this one. I admit I had to see I Heart Huckabees twice before I embraced it. Then in 2010 came The Fighter, one of my favorite movies in the past 5-6 years. In all the films mentioned so far, he has had a hand in the writing. I love the way Russell invests in his characters. Like them or not, you get where these flesh and blood characters are coming from. I have seen Russell on interviews with his casts and they all profess undying love for one another. His films all seem like new exciting lovers to Russell and they give back to him much of what he gives to them. Now, if you're lucky enough, there's his current offering, Silver Linings Playbook. It is another banana split with a big red cherry on the top. Eat it up.I know folks will eat it up as well. This has a guaranteed following because it has elements in it that will appeal to all age groups from young teenagers to those older folks who still enjoy good films in a theater.

I have a confession. I knew very little about Jennifer Lawrence and had seen none of her films. I thought she was gorgeous as a blonde in a long red gown at the Oscars but who was she? I wanted to see Winter's Bone, the film she was nominated for, but never got around to it. I am annoyed when they slip away but this one did. I think I can promise I will see it in the next week or so. I had no desire really in seeing Hunger Games but because of her there is some interest here now too. I spent an hour or so checking her out on the web because I hate being behind the 8-ball like this.Oh there's more. I only knew a teensy bit more about Bradley Cooper. (And I call myself Movie Man...!) I looked up his films today and realize I have seen couple of them, but I can honestly say I don't remember him in them. Then came Hangover and well, ok, now he was more in the front of my brain and as much as I cracked up while watching it, I still can't say that he impressed me as an actor of any substance. Yeah, yeah, I know he reigned until just recently as People's Sexiest Man of the Year and I see him repeatedly on The Today Show ballyhooing his most recent flick, but why should he capture my interest?Well, hear this... and for you fans of either, pay special attention. They are dynamite in this film. I heard he was reluctant to do it at all until DeNiro talked him into it. And I read that a number of actresses were considered for Lawrence's part. Well we have to thank the thespian gods that these two actors came aboard.Do us all a favor and never refer to this film as a romantic comedy. It does not at all deserve that loathsome moniker, that death knell to movies and the stars that populate them. I said above that it is a comedy drama. The truth is it was a drama with some comedy. And yes there is some romance, but it is really much more about mental illness, which is rarely funny.Cooper is Pat who lost his job, his money and his wife after exhibiting some aggressive behavior and as the story opens he is just getting out of a mental care facility to deal with his bipolar nature. He is perhaps getting out too soon. He seems to have restraining orders out against him all over town. He moves in with his parents. He has lost weight, is trying to do the right thing (and not always succeeding), is determined to get fit and to resume a relationship with his ex-wife, whom we come to learn doesn't share his zeal. He wants to see the silver linings in life.His father (DeNiro) is uncertain about his son being on the mend and is chagrined that Pat won't spend any more time with him than he does. He particularly wants his son to do some armchair quarterbacking with him. The father is so wrapped up in the Philadelphia Eagles that his demonstrative ways got him permanently kicked out of the team's stadium. He also has quite the gambling addiction.

The mother (Weaver) stands by her son, her younger of two, but has a tough-love spirit. Pat responds to her no-nonsense mothering and she is determined that things will start to go right for him.Into all this comes Tiffany (Lawrence). She's tough, too, and has her own issues to deal with. She is a recent widow and grieved by sleeping with everyone I worked with. She's now in recovery. There is a tentativeness on her part to get involved with Pat because she thinks he's a sandwich short of a smorgasbord and besides, he is pining for his ex-wife.That's all you're getting. How it works out for them, whether it works out for them, I encourage you to see the film. If you don't go to many movies, go see this one. Everyone else is going to. And no one will be sorry. I rooted for these characters because I was made to care about them. They made me laugh and they got me teary-eyed. And along the way we get treated to some wonderful homespun affirmations.Unless Julia Stiles did this film as a favor to Russell or someone, I am not clear on why she did it. She has just a couple of scenes (as Lawrence's sister) and neither her character nor the scenes are all that significant to the project at large. What's going on?An aside on DeNiro. His performance in no way detracts from the film and he is, in fact, good. He's always good. But to me what he also always is is the same. The DeNiros, Hoffmans, Pacinos were great actors as young bucks. They are still good actors, but perhaps it's just a case that when actors get older, they revert to father or grandfather roles and there's not a lot one can do with those roles. The father of the hero ain't the hero. But my point is that I get bored with the sameness all the time. DeNiro rarely smiles and when he does, I expect to see his face go the way of the ice in the Arctic. He's always so disagreeable and a bit whiny.Lest you think I am disagreeable and a bit whiny myself, I will dash off with these words: go see Silver Linings Playbook. It has sharp writing and two young actors doing their best work and the film will cast a spell on you. You can thank me later.NEXT POSTING: Coming in December

Aha! Did I not tell you (I believe in my last long novel of an email) that Jennifer Lawrence is one to watch? Allow me to pat myself on the back. My movie involvement has waned dramatically after the birth of little Cooper, but I still have a wee bit of movie savvy in me. :o) Do see the Hunger Games. The story may not float your boat but watching her in it is worthwhile. The girl's got grit. I actually am a fan of the series (I'm in the third book of the trilogy, Mockingjay, now to stay ahead of the films). As for Bradley, I'm still on the fence about him a little bit, so I'm anxious to see this given your review. I'm guessing you never saw "He's Just Not That Into You" (doubtful that it would appeal to you) but he was actually one of my favorite characters in that film (even though he's a "bad guy"). He played out the conflicted married guy real well. And hey, he sure is nice to look at. xoxoxo Lori

Well, I did just see for the first time, Winter's Bone. I liked the film and very much liked Lawrence in it. As I have always done with actors that grab my attention, I will keep up on her work. Thanks for your comments and encouragement.

Finally saw this film last night. WHAT A GEM. Fortunately saw it without hubby in tow because it would not float his boat (he prefers more comedy than drama :). Fantastic chemistry between Cooper and Lawrence. Had Cooper been in this film in a year when the master thespian Daniel Day Lewis was not in the running for every acting award, I dare say he could've raked in the awards. One of the finest films I've seen in a LONG time.

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About Me

Doing this fulfills a creative bent in me. I love talking about the movies and I love writing about them. I encourage robust conversation about what I write; I will love getting your take on things. I once professionally wrote movie reviews and have been writing them for selected friends for a few years. This blog is a natural extension of that and allows me a wider forum on an expanded slate of topics.